ViPR Blog

The Power Plate and ViPR Concept

Power Plate stimulates the body’s proprioceptive system (position sense) many times a second, eliciting very specific and purposeful reflex reactions in the body, described as 'reflexive stabilisation', to a dynamic environment. The tri-planar movement of the platform's surface is a harmonic vibration wave that optimises the stimulus to the nervous system and not only increases muscle activation through a rapid reflex response but can also enhance motor learning and efficiency due to the repetitive nature of the stimulus.

Another way to think about this is that Power Plate becomes a different 'environment' on which to train and challenge the body, and this is where integrating with ViPR makes it a very unique training environment.

ViPR and the Loaded Movement Training concept is all about tilting, shifting and lifting ViPR in all angulations to challenge the body as an interconnected whole. As such, ViPR is often described as a 'top down' influence on the body, taking advantage of external forces such as gravity, ground reaction force (GRF), mass and momentum. When combined directly with Power Plate, which essentially is manipulating the ground (GRF) and increasing muscle activation, we are able to authentically and safely replicate how the body moves and responds to our natural environment in every-day life and sport.

The philosophy of Loaded Movement Training is a perfect fit with whole-body vibration training as, in order to optimise the benefits of Power Plate, individuals should perform movement-based, dynamic exercises within their own individual thresholds and ViPR is a fantastic tool to facilitate this.

The company has also attracted international attention for bioDensity™, the osteogenic loading system that provides a non-pharmaceutical approach to bone and muscle loss and has been scientifically linked to dramatic bone growth among populations ranging from high-performance athletes to health-compromised seniors. ViPR is a truly versatile tool that can be used by all ages and abilities, helping anyone to realise their full potential for daily motion through Loaded Movement Training, from children having fun while working out with the 2kg model, to clients looking to kick-start a fitness regime or work towards a specific fitness goal, to athletes incorporating ViPR into their daily training sessions.

An integrated ViPR and Power Plate workoutGlobal educator Paul Edmondson runs us through a specifically created ViPR programme for one of his clients that demonstrates the philosophy of Loaded Movement Training combined with vibration training:

Move 1: Hamstring activation

Drive hips back while loading ViPR forwards, then move side-to-side and rotate left and right

30secs each plane90secs each leg

Move 2: Step thread the needle

Having activated (exercise 1), the posterior chain is 'set up' to maximise performance

Execute seven foot positions (neutral, right foot forward, left foot forward, narrow, wide, toes in and toes out) as you shift ViPR at shoulder height (elbows under ViPR) left to right

90secs in total on each side of body

Move 5: ViPR lateral rolling press-up

Rolling ViPR left to right laterally, stop and trap ViPR and perform a full press-up (range of motion) to asymmetrically load one shoulder

30-60secs

Move 6: Crawling push and pull

Having activated the shoulders in exercise 5, perform a forward and reverse crawling plank with alternating push and pull. Change hands after each rep

60secs in totalFour forwards/four backwards

Move 7: Plank with lateral shift

With one hand on plate, perform a left (then right) shift of ViPR on ground making sure to pull with hips as well as hands

30secs in total

Move 8: Shovel drill

Having activated scapula and thoracic spine in exercise 7, pre-position one foot forwards, take a single hand grip, palm facing up, squat and take handle side towards forward foot (inside of big toe) then dynamically stand and swing hands rotationally across body (same side as you started from)

60secs, then change sides

Move 9: Cool-down ViPR hip flexor matrix

Half kneeling on plate, take a front carry hold and perform a reverse reach with ViPR: counter shift hips forward (20secs); side shifting hips to both sides and keeping spine long, counter lean with hips (20secs); then rotate trunk and ViPR, this time in sync with hips (20secs)